Rannerdale and Rannerdale Knotts from Brackenthwaite Hows

A 14km run (though walking the uphills) at the start of the bluebell season.

Route: leaving the car at the Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park and walking up Robin’s Steps to the summit of Brackenthwaite Hows and then north east to Pickett Howe to join the west-east footpath and following this east to cross the road at Beck House and climb to the north-south footpath under Whiteside End climbing gently southwards before descending, crossing a footbridge and then continuing south on a small but clear path under the slopes of Grasmoor keeping as high as possible but eventually dropping onto the main path to the bluebell fields in Rannerdale. Continuing on the path to the saddle at the end of Rannerdale and then turning back round to continue along the ridge before descending slowly the rocky staircase to the road. Along this, turning left to the lakeshore and back past the boathouse, weir and riverside path to the car park.

Conditions: Cloudy but not cold.

Pub: the Kirkstile Inn, Loweswater, for Cumbrian Legendary Ales American Pale and Esthwaite Bitter sitting in the sudden sun in the garden.

Whiteside, Hopegill Head, Grasmoor and Whiteless Pike

A fine long walk in bright sun on the Easter weekend with James.

Route: leaving the car on the roadside opposite an already full carpark at 10:30am (the first on the left heading south under Lad Hows) and walking back parallel with the road, just inside the fields, with views over the lake to Lanthwaite Green and then crossing the road and across the field to the footbridge to climb Whin Ben and then Whiteside. Along the ridge to Hopegill Head, descending to Coledale Hause and then onto Grasmoor to the end to look down on the valley and conducting emergency repairs to James' boots. Then back to Whiteless Edge, Whiteless Pike and down to the Bridge Hotel. Continuing, though without James, past the campsite to the lakeshore and then along the lower slop of Rannerdale Knott, round the end of Ranndedale and back to the car and meeting James walking along the road.

Conditions: the warmest, sunniest day of the year.

Pub: the Bridge Hotel, Buttermere for Mowdy Pale Ale.

Windy Howe variant on a Scout Scar run

A 7.5km run (without L), only merited as an Outdoor Day entry because of the novelty of the first 500m.

Route: leaving the car at the standard parking spaces on the Brigsteer Road and running along the road southwest to the junction where taking a footpath across a grassy field to a hand gate in the corner and then across a rougher field with signs of limestone yielding a sudden view over Helsiongton Church and the top of Morecambe Bay. Thereafter, a standard Scout Scar run: to the road to enter the Scar, along the green lane, to Pook's Peak, along the cliff edge to the Mushroom and back via the Gate-in-the-Corner, the Spooky Building and down to the car.

Conditions: a surprisingly cold wind on a cloudy day.

Pub: the Rifleman's Arms, Kendal for Timothy Taylors Landlord.

Blease Fell 10km run from Tebay

A 10km run gently up- and downhill in a grassy loop with large, if unspectacular, views.

Route: leaving the car in Tebay at the very start of the road to Cocklake and running between the Old School and a white building along a small road taking a right at the first and second Y junctions and then left on a track, running quickly out onto tussocky grass to the top of Roger Howe. At the slight saddle afterwards, finding a  clear track in the grass over Powston Knott and onto Blease Fell and then slightly down to a cairn overlooking the M6 and WCML valley. Then across tussocky grass, carefully crossing a fenced off area and finding a grassy track to Hare Shaw and then down to Weather Hill where bending left past Waskew Head and onto a road back to the start.

Conditions: some sun and cloud but a cold wind.

Pub: the George Hotel, Orton, for Charles Wells Bombardier.

Brackenthwaite Hows and Pickett Howe 5km circuit

A second instance of this route somewhat the worse for the previous day's walk.

Route: leaving the car at the Lanthwaite Wood National Trust car park and running up Robin’s Steps to the summit of Brackenthwaite Hows and then north east to Pickett Howe to join the west-east footpath and following this east to cross the road at Beck House and climb to the north-south footpath under Whiteside End climbing gently southwards before descending, crossing a footbridge to reach Lanthwaite Green Farm and the path back to the Boat House. Then north to the weir at the outflow of Crummock Water and back along the river to the start.

Conditions: cloudy and grey but warm and brightening.

Pub: Tweedies, Grasmere, for Hawkshead Session Series 2019 26 Citra, Semcoe and Centennial, Bitter and lunch.

Haystacks to Red Pike ridge walk

A long 17km walk on a glorious day with Richard Gipps.

Route: leaving the car at the NT car park in Buttermere and walking along the east side of the lake past Gatescarth Farm and along the path in Warnscale Bottom. Turning right off the main track onto a smaller path, crossing the stream at a bridge and ascending quite steeply on a rough path the head of the valley. Crossing a stream initially losing the correct line and regaining it by further climbing. After passing below the bothy, turning right to gain the rough ridge and along this, in crowds, to the summit of Haystacks. Descending a previously untried but regrettable path south of the main descent. Then on the steeply ascending path up High Crag, along to High Stile, then Red Pike and descending quite slowly the initially worn scree track, then the relentless rock steps to the lake shore where, sadly, the obvious bridge was missing necessitating a diversion to Scale Bridge and back to the start.

Conditions: sunny and warm at ground level and also, unexpected, on the tops.

Pub: the Bridge Hotel, Buttermere for one pint of Tractor Shed Mowdy Pale Ale and soft drinks for the others.